BRIDGEWATER -- The principal at Bridgewater Raritan High School made a plea to students today to stop texting rumors about a possible attack on the school in hopes of calming a school community on edge since the arrest of a junior in an alleged bomb plot last week.

“It is too bad that all of us don’t own stock in Verizon Wireless,” Principal James Riccobono told students in a speech over the loudspeaker at the start of the school day today. “With all of the text messaging that has taken place this past week, the telephone company has been making a ton of money.”

Alexandra Pais/New Jersey Local News ServiceBridgewater-Raritan High School during the beginning of 9th period on Wednesday.
Riccobono told students that a firestorm of text message rumors among students were spreading "irrational fear" -- enough so that more than 70 students were picked up early by parents Wednesday out of concern that someone was going to pull a fire alarm at the end of the day and shoot students as they left the building.

"The fear and anxiety that many of you have been feeling has been fueled by the constant texting of rumors," Riccobono said. "The more texting, the more rumors develop. The rumors take on a life of their own. The rumors make you a hostage of fear. Reason and common sense are lost in a sea of rumors."

The school of about 2,900 students on Garretson Road has been on edge since it was shut down Friday after authorities learned of a plot to attack the school Monday. A 16-year-old junior was arrested after police said they seized home-made bombs, ammunition and plans to launch the attack.

Riccobono reassured students that police are investigating each rumor or potential threat that is brought to their attention. He said that were any of the information deemed credible, the school would be shut down.

"Let me assure you, I value my life as much as you value your life," Riccobono said. "I would not come to school, or ask you to come to school if I felt that our safety was jeopardized."

A strong police presence will continue to remain at the school throughout the week and be evaluated on a day-to-day basis next week.